Among the three Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in an ambush today, Jan. 22, in southern Gaza was Capt. Eyal Mevorach Twito, a former Baltimore shinshin, or community Israel emissary.
Twito, 22, was a platoon commander in the Paratroopers Brigade’s 202nd Battalion. He was a resident of the central Israeli moshav of Beit Gamliel.
“With a very heavy heart we share the tragic news that Eyal Twito, ’19-’20 Baltimore Shinshin, fell in the battlefield in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The funeral is today in Israel. May he be of blessed memory,” wrote Rabbi Aaron Levitt, executive director of Jewish Educational Services of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, and Smadar Haika-Fox, director of the Baltimore Shinshinim Hub.
“During his time in Baltimore, Eyal served as a Shinshin at Ohr Chadash [Academy]. He was also involved in the Beth Am [Synagogue] religious school and many other community programs and events. Eyal was responsible for introducing Baltimore to Project Dugo, a tradition we continue to celebrate in Baltimore annually on January 18th.
“We will be in touch soon with details on upcoming tribute events in his memory. See the Instagram post from the Baltimore Shinshinim.”
On The Associated’s Shinshinim page, Twito wrote in 2020, “Before going to be a Shinshin in Baltimore, many things worried me. I really didn’t know if I was fit for it. As someone that is very attached to his family and close environment, I couldn’t imagine living a full year without everyone I care for. Not going for Shabbat meals with all my family at my grandparents’ house, walking in all the beautiful places in the Moshav and just seeing nature, I got to appreciate these things only when I really started thinking about the Shinshin option.
“But even with all these doubts and worries that I had, something pushed me into this journey. I decided to do it because of the will to do something meaningful, for myself and the community, and in this case the Jewish community. I wanted to do good in the world, and through that, do good to myself. Throughout the 7 months of Shlichut, the question that was always in my head was, ‘Did I make the right decision coming here?’ Even though I’ll never know what would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone to this program, I know that I made the right decision.
“Every time I look at myself before and after this journey, I understand why. From being a mature teenager, I became a young and responsible adult. I think that this came with being out of my comfort zone. I know that this will help me a lot in the future. I don’t know how much I was meaningful for the Baltimore and Ohr Chadash communities, but I do know that they were very meaningful for me. When we heard that we need to leave Baltimore I got to understand that. It was so hard to say goodbye to all the community. The students, teachers, parents, and last but not least, the amazing host families, that did everything so that we will feel like home away from home here. I’m sure that all these connections will last for a very long time.
“If I have to give the future Shinshinim a tip for their year, I would just say this: The upcoming year is going to be a roller-coaster. You will have endless moments of ups and downs. Just try to learn from every up or down that you’ll face, there is a lot to learn. After you look back at the year, try to make sure that you will be proud of yourself, and I’m sure you will be. Thank you, Baltimore, thank you OCA. See you soon!”
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